Awning Erection Advice

[AlanAberdeen]

I have just bought a brand new Bradcot Active awning and to be honest I don't have a clue what is the best way to put it up. It has the easy system poles, so hopefully that will help me a bit.

Can anyone give me any tips on how to put it up easily as I have never had an awning before!

 

[johnwolves]

hi if you have instructions wait for a dry day { sometime next year } get in garden sort all poles out roughly make frame up then colour code them with insulation tape get multipack of various colours from diy store then once on site wont look such a novice

 

[emmerson2]

Alan, contrary to John's advice, I'd go on site looking a complete novice, then you can be sure that some kindly soul will come along and show you how to do it!!!

Joking aside, the coloured tape tip is good, but I believe the Bradcot easi-system will only go one way. Good luck.

 

[Lord Braykewynde]

After pitching the caravan I usually lay the awning on the ground. I then spray it with diluted Viagra. Just sit back and have a coffee and by the time you've finished it's up.

Sorry :O(

 

[Rubix]

Yes lord B but ...

It may have "risen" to the occasion, but then it won't fit the caravan. Unless you have a porch awning, then it might be full size !

 

[Jeff-Pontypridd]

When I opened my new Easy Alloy poles (with the Classic), they needed setting up. This was a nice few hours' work in the garden - joining the sections and inserting the end bits. Once they are all set up, it's dead easy from there.

I would not advise trying to erect on site until you have done this basic set-up first. Once set up, the poles basically come in three sets - one each end and one in the centre (plus a couple of strengthening poles, depending on the awning size - you only use them once the awning is up). There is no need to tape or colour code the poles - there are only a few connections to make, and they will be obvious to you very quickly.

For erecting, I pull the awning through the caravan rails first, then set up the poles. Place them (outside the awning, still) where they should go (ie 2 corners and middle) and connect them together. As they have the legs and poles that go to the caravan all joined together at one point, you will find that you can stand them up while connecting. Alternatively, get someone to hold a corner and start from there. Pull awning over poles, fit the front-extending ends (15inches long, with hooks on) into the awning holes, extend the poles and away you go...

One tip, not sure if the sections of your particular awning zip out - if they do, it's far easier to erect with them out of the way.

OK - there's more to it than this, but this should start you off. I put mine up in the driveway before venturing on site, for what it's worth. Just far easier to play with it at leisure than panicking on site.

 

[RonD]

Alan,

Don't worry about struggling with it... if you are really not sure, look around for someone with the same sized awning as yours, have a friendly word and I bet you'll have a team on the job in no time to help you! We're a helpful lot!

 

[Oldfogey]

And if someone does show you how to do it - take photos all the way through!

Digital cameras are great for this sort of thing.

 

[Martin_E]

Alan as most have said the Bradcot with the easy poles is easy.

Once you have threaded the awning onto the caravan (silver side out) don't forget to thread the feet onto the beading for the roof poles and spread them out roughly to start with we have a classic 950 so it has five feet to thread on. I start with the middle pole by hooking it into the foot on the side of the caravan and walk that out extending it as I go and poke the 15" stub through the hole in the centre of the awning and hook the awning on to it, I then add the corners join to the centre pole adjust feet on the side of van then roughly tension the awning, add the sides and the front adjust the awning legs then put the extra legs x 2 and extra roof bars x 2 into place, peg down and the jobs a good un.

 

[JeremyClarksson]

Just to confirm what others have said -

We have a Bradcot Active with the easy system poles and have not needed to mark the poles with tape - if you collapse the poles at each end and take off the 2 extender sections from the centre section you end up with 3 main sections plus the extra support poles and the extender pieces and they will all fit into a pole bag like that.

It would pay to assemble the poles at home for the first time as we spent about 2 hours working it out on site.

With the active it is useful to have a rope anchoring the apex to the ground if puting up in windy conditions or if you are leaving it up without the doors as there is no middle bit between the front sections.

 

[AlanAberdeen]

Thanks everyone for your help.

I am going away for 2 weeks to Berwick on Saturday.

If anyone is in the Berwick area on Saturday then please feel free to come and give me a hand and will give you a couple of beers!

Thanks

 

[colin_5079068]

Big col here i just lie back and leave it to my wife as she is very handy with her hands hence the awning is up in no time which leaves me with a smile on my face and some where to sit out of thge wind and rain

 

[Pat_374304630]

Hi,

A few years ago practical caravan gave superb advice on how to put up an awning.I have had a few awnings since then but the technique is the same.You won't need to colour code as this can get confusing.Take the following steps and with practice you will be able to erect your awning in 10 minutes:1 Thread the awning through the caravan awning rail.2 lay out the poles on the ground in the same position where they are going to be.Basically you will have 3 poles sticking out from the caravan ,1 upright at each front corner,1 upright in the middle at the front and 2 oblong poles at the front to join together the corneruprights and the centre upright.3 Go to the centre pole that sticks out from the caravan and put that one in position first.You will need some help.4 Connect the centre upright to the centre pole.5 Pick up the oblong pole on the right and connect to the centre pole.5 Go to the right hand corner and position the side pole that sticks out from the caravan connecting it ot the caravan first and then the oblong pole.6 Connect the upright corner pole.Providing its not too windy that side of the awning should stay upright.7 Go back to the centre ople and repeat steps 5,6 going left.Basically the awning is now in position and all that is needed is some adjustment and pegging.

The above instructions sound complicated but believe me they work every time.

I'm sure someone at practical caravan could tell you which issue the article appeared in.

Good luck

Pat

 

[JeremyClarksson]

I use the technique mentioned by Pat, although I found this out by trial and error.With the easy system it is even easier as the poles are already assembled and you just need to pull them out.

I find pegging out takes longer than putting up and adjusting the awning and I usually do the whole thing on my own as tho takes the kids off to avoid them "helping".